User blog comment:Llamao/A Disappearing Act/@comment-1298206-20110821194921

''The black fox appears before the water rats who are sitting around a fire. They look startled at the sudden appearance of the fox. One rat points a spear at the newcomer and speaks gruffly'' "Tell us who ye are an' wot ye want afore I run ye through wid me spear!"

The fox raises a paw "Let's not be hasty, friend. I have come to speak to all of you about the legend of the Marlfoxes."

''The water rats blink in confusion and exchange the same look with the rat beside them. The water rat with the spear looks up at him, his dark eyes full of suspicion'' "We ain't ever 'eard o' no Marlfoxes afore! Spit it out, brushtail!"

The black fox nods "If you wish to know, then I shall proceed in doing so. Once, many seasons ago, there emerged a mysterious type of fox like none other that possessed abilities like none other. They could appear and disappear as they pleased, but the few Marlfoxes known to the creatures of Mossflower were slain and none have been seen since... until now."

The spear-wielding water rat wrinkles up his nose and points his spear at the fox "'ow come ye know so much about these Marlfoxers, eh?"

The fox smiles knowingly and replies simply "I am a descendant of the Marlfoxes of old. They once terrorized the inhabitants of the forest, but they grew too bold and were defeated. I shall not make the same mistakes as they did. They commanded an army of water rats, much like yourselves."

Another rat scratches his head "So wot are ye tryin' t' tell us, fox? D' ye want us t' join ye?"

The dark fox nods "That is exactly what I am trying to do."

The rat with the spear speaks again "Wot's in it fer us if'n we join ye?"

The fox smiles a bit and replies "Each of you shall be given some rule once our conquest is complete. You all shall dine like royalty once we are finished."

''Most of the water rats mutter to one another, shooting looks at the fox as they speak in hushed tones. The water rat with the spear looks up at the fox'' "Fine, we'll join ye, but wot's yore name, fox?"

The flames dance as they reflect off of the black fox's eyes, which are as dark as the blackest night "I am known to some as Shadowbane."